Matt Veronesi
By Matt Veronesi
Hello, New Windsor. I am on the Executive Board of a charitable organization called the 3 Up and 3 Down Organization. The 3 Up 3 Down Organization is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), designed to promote, foster and support the game of baseball to youth and others within our community. The organization through its members and stewards shall support the promotion, facilitation and education of the game. The Organization is also determined to help support individuals with developmental disabilities, individuals that may not have the ability to participate or enjoy this game quite as readily or as easily as their typical peers.
A few weeks ago we had Dwight Gooden as a special guest. Gooden was a dominant pitcher for the Mets in the 1980’s, and ran into some issues with substance abuse and was out of the game for awhile before he came back with the Yankees winning two World Series. Dwight Gooden just had his number retired by the New York Mets, and told me how humbled he was by the experience, and he was happy that he could leave the Mets fans with a positive from his career, as the last time he was a Met he was suspended from baseball for substance abuse. Gooden was a great guy who spoke very highly of my all-time favorite player Don Mattingly who I named my 12-year-old son Mattingly after. Dwight even showed my son Mattingly how to adjust his grip on the four-seam fastball for when Mattingly pitches. I told Mattingly that having someone like Dwight Gooden give you pitching advice doesn’t happen to every 12-year-old boy, so he better cherish it and listen to him.
Thanks, Dwight Gooden, for being a part of the 3 Up 3 Foundation charitable function, and may God look after you and bless you to stay sober and clean from drugs!
The Town of New Windsor Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade will take place on Sunday, May 19, with the ceremony honoring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice at the Town’s Veterans Monument at the corner of Rte 9W and Rte 94 at 10:30 a.m.
The Guest Speaker will be Captain Loopstra from the United States Marine Corps, Sgt. Major Mary Kay Messenger for the West Point Band will be on hand to sing the National Anthem and God Bless America, and the local veterans’ groups and community groups will be on hand paying tribute. Then at 2 p.m. will be the Town of New Windsor Memorial Day Parade which will step off from the New Windsor Post Office Plaza and will march down Route 94 finishing at the New Windsor School.
For more information on the ceremony or parade please reach out to the Town of New Windsor Recreation Department at 845-565-7750.
Join New Windsor Town Supervisor Stephen Bedetti, Town Clerk Patty Clarino, and Animal Control Officer Stacy Conley for the kickoff of the dog park season on Saturday, April 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dog Park at San Giacomo Park. All pups will have a great time running together at the park, followed by a smooch your pooch booth and pup cups. For the humans Carmella’s Cucina Food Truck will be onsite with some delicious eats while everyone shakes their tales to music. All dogs attending must have their visible rabies and dog license tag attached to their collars. For more information, contact the Town Clerks Office at 845-563-4611.
The Town of New Windsor is pleased to bring back our Farmers Market in 2024 moving the day to Thursdays starting on May 30 and it runs through October from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Town Hall Lawn. Calling all Vendors who are interested in being a part of this weekly market it is $25 per week, or if you sign up for all of the weeks there is a discount of $110. For more information on becoming a vendor please reach out to the Recreation Department at 845-565-7750 or email Town Councilwoman Sylvia Santiago at ssantiago@newwindsor-ny.gov.
The Sportsplex Junior Tennis program is a five-week program that works on the fundamentals of tennis taught by professional instructors. The program meets on Monday’s starting May 6 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Ages 5-8 meet 4:30 - 5:30 p.m., and ages 9-12 meets from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. The program is $85 for New Windsor Residents and $95 for non-residents and takes place at San Giacomo Park in New Windsor.
The Skyhawks Spring Basketball program will be held on Thursday’s April 25 to May 30 at San Giacomo Park with ages 6-7 taking place 5:15 - 6:15 p.m., ages 8-10 from 6:20 - 7:20 p.m., and ages 11-14 from 6:20 - 7:20 p.m. The program is $105 for New Windsor residents and $115 for non-residents.
To register for any of the above programs please visit the Recreation Department website at nwrecisfun.com or by calling 845-565-7750.
Birthday shout outs this week go to Margo Bedetti whose birthday is on April 25, to Steven Sprauer whose birthday is on April 27, to John Mullarkey whose birthday is on April 28th, to Mike Babcock whose birthday is on April 29, to Tim Urban whose birthday is on May 1, and to anyone else out there celebrating birthdays this week, Happy Birthday! If anyone has a birthday or other special event you want mentioned in my column, or have anything going on in New Windsor that you want the world to know about you can reach me at mveronesi@optimum.net or by calling 845-629-1260. Have a great week.